Welcome to the second instalment of my new series; Words To Live By. If you didn’t catch last week’s post and want to know how the series came about you can check it out here: Words To Live By: A New Series.

Each week I share the words/quote/saying that we are displaying on our noticeboard at home to help us all have a better week. Something that speaks to us on some level and that we can directly apply to our lives throughout the week.

This weeks words come courtesy of The Killers:

words to live by smile like you mean it

Some days you just feel like crap. Some days everyone seems to be going out of their way to piss you off. Some days your kids get out of bed and decide it would be great fun to see just how far they can push you before you completely lose the plot. On these days it can be so easy to just feel resigned to a shitty day/get angry/cry/reach for the wine, but there may be another tactic you could try out first; smile.

As hard it can be when someone cuts you up at a roundabout, or your kid asks the same question for the hundredth time, believe it or not a smile can actually help. Not the kind of tight lipped half smile that doesn’t reach your eyes, a big beaming giddy smile that flashes all your teeth.

When we are stressed or anxious our brain thinks we must be reacting to some kind of danger and puts our body in fight or flight mode, but if we’re not actually in danger this just makes us feel even more anxious and stressed and creates a vicious cycle. On the other hand, if we smile a big beaming smile our brain realises that we couldn’t possibly be smiling if we were in danger so shuts off the fight or flight response and our anxiety is lessened.

I’m aware that this isn’t a cure all,  especially for those suffering depression or anxiety disorders, but it may just help turn our mood around when we are having ‘one of those moments/days’.

Try it yourself now. Smile a big beaming smile like someone just told you you’ve won the lottery and hold it for at least three seconds. I bet at the end of those three seconds your smile actually gets a little bigger. If you’re finding it hard and can only manage a small tight lipped one try thinking about something that made you immensely happy or made you laugh. And don’t worry about looking daft. When we see someone smiling, far from thinking they must be loopy, we strangely feel happier ourselves too, so you won’t just be improving your own mood but the mood of all those who witness it too.

What do you think of this week’s words to live by? Did you manage a smile?

Pink Pear Bear
My Petit Canard
3 Little Buttons
Tammymum
Hot Pink Wellingtons
Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday

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53 thoughts on “Words To Live By #2: Smile Like You Mean It

  1. That is such a lovely idea to put in place, I should adopt something like that in my household, just to keep us all mindful that happiness is a state on mind and one we can have some influence over that.

    Posted on 10 October, 2016 at 2:34 pm
    1. Thank you, we’re loving the idea so far and it’s really working for us x

      Posted on 10 October, 2016 at 4:53 pm
  2. It’s a lovely idea to have a phrase to get you through the week. Smiling is so infectious and a smile can literally make someone else’s day. Alison x #bigpinklink

    Posted on 10 October, 2016 at 3:20 pm
    1. Thank you, it really can. Have a great week 😄

      Posted on 10 October, 2016 at 4:50 pm
  3. Thanks for this. Its so true, you feel a lot better when you smile. When I get annoyed today I will first smile 🙂
    #dreamteam

    Posted on 11 October, 2016 at 6:41 am
    1. Thank you, hope it works for you x

      Posted on 11 October, 2016 at 7:02 am
  4. This is interesting and totally makes sense. I am going to try it the next time I feel anxious. Thanks for sharing with #bigpinklink

    Posted on 11 October, 2016 at 9:25 am
    1. Hope it works for you x

      Posted on 11 October, 2016 at 12:07 pm
  5. Love this series. This is such a great saying…smile like you mean it. Apart from being a great pick-me-up, i think that smiling is very contagious. It can really help to light up a room, or take the edge off someone moody 🙂 Thank you for linking up to the #DreamTeam xx
    Annette, 3 Little Buttons recently posted…#DreamTeam Linky 24My Profile

    Posted on 11 October, 2016 at 8:12 pm
    1. Thank you, you’re so right it really is contagious x

      Posted on 13 October, 2016 at 7:49 am
  6. I like the idea of having a family quote. I agree that a smile can really help. I try to stop myself and force myself to find the fun when things are winding me up. Thanks for a lovely positive post. #familyfun

    Posted on 12 October, 2016 at 12:17 pm
    1. Thank you, it can be hard sometimes to find the fun but making the effort can really turn things around x

      Posted on 13 October, 2016 at 7:50 am
  7. This is so lovely. What a fab idea. I’m usually a really positive person but have drifted a bit lately so this has reminded me that even something as simple as smiling can improve our mood.
    #familyfun

    Posted on 12 October, 2016 at 5:15 pm
    1. Thank you, I think we all slip occasionally, that’s why I like the board as a little reminder x

      Posted on 13 October, 2016 at 7:51 am
  8. This is so true! I remember my primary school teacher used to say that there were ‘happy buttons’ in your cheeks and if you did a big smile, it pressed the buttons and made you happy #FamilyFun
    Lucy At Home recently posted…Bloggers Bluff #05: SuzieW AuthorMy Profile

    Posted on 12 October, 2016 at 8:35 pm
    1. That’s really cute, I’m going to use that one with my kids. She sounds like a great teacher x

      Posted on 13 October, 2016 at 7:52 am
  9. Love them!!! I think I’m going to be hooked on this series….. love this stuff – apparently even forcing a smile by holding a pencil in the mouth has been shown to help improve mood. Our bodies are amazing aren’t they! Thanks for the reminder about how important smiling can be 🙂
    Mindful Mummy Mission recently posted…Wicked Wednesdays #10: Bake me Happy!My Profile

    Posted on 12 October, 2016 at 9:59 pm
    1. Thank you, I’m going to try that pencil trick now! Sorry for the late reply, only just discovered my spam filter had gone a bit haywire.

      Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 8:40 pm
  10. I love this song! The Killers are fab and this is a great message!
    Our Cherry Tree recently posted…Share the Fun at LegolandMy Profile

    Posted on 13 October, 2016 at 7:49 am
    1. Ha ha, I’ve had the song playing on repeat in my head all week x

      Posted on 13 October, 2016 at 7:53 am
  11. Haha! The last bit is great. This is the perfect afternoon pick me up to make me smile.

    #SharingTheBlogLove
    Cathryn recently posted…A/W Homeware HaulMy Profile

    Posted on 13 October, 2016 at 3:24 pm
    1. Thank you, hope it helps x

      Posted on 13 October, 2016 at 4:03 pm
  12. I’m a big believer in the smile. I’m happy positive person but there are the testing days that just grind and grind on me!! Great quote and I can’t help but sing it!! Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
    Karen | TwoTinyHands recently posted…A Walk up Clougha PikeMy Profile

    Posted on 13 October, 2016 at 7:14 pm
    1. Thank you. I’m the same, can’t say it without hearing the song x

      Posted on 13 October, 2016 at 8:01 pm
  13. Yes excellent idea, I must say I am probably guilty of putting a meagre slightly fake smile on sometimes, but I should definitely try to mean it a little more – it will no doubt help on the inside too. PS I am now singing the killers! Thanks for sharing at #FamilyFun.
    tammymum recently posted…Do You Manage Your Kids Social Media?My Profile

    Posted on 13 October, 2016 at 8:31 pm
    1. I think we’re all guilty of it at times, we should take inspiration from our kids, their smiles are almost always heartfelt. Good luck getting that song out your head x

      Posted on 13 October, 2016 at 8:41 pm
  14. Very wise words! I like this one, I have heard that doing certain things means you simply can’t stay sad/angry, including saying ‘beep boop’ to yourself. It is just so ridiculous it really does work! xx #sharingthebloglove
    Claire recently posted…It’s the little things that get you.My Profile

    Posted on 14 October, 2016 at 3:36 pm
    1. I’ve not heard that one before but makes total sense, I’ll use that one with the kids, bound to get them laughing when they’re in a grump! Thanks for sharing x

      Posted on 14 October, 2016 at 4:26 pm
  15. The hardest but simplest thing to do sometimes! If you can manage it though, it always seems to make you feel better. Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Kaye xo
    Kaye recently posted…The Love to Dream SwaddleUP; The Self-Soothing SwaddleMy Profile

    Posted on 14 October, 2016 at 8:25 pm
    1. So true, a case of ‘fake it till you make it’ x

      Posted on 14 October, 2016 at 9:25 pm
  16. I’ve had a pretty rubbish week over here, but I did manage a smile, and it’s amazing that I actually felt a bit better during it. I’m feeling quite ill, so not sure it’s something I can keep up long, but it definitely boosted my mood a bit. Thanks so much for joining us again at #SharingtheBlogLove

    Posted on 15 October, 2016 at 6:43 pm
    1. Sorry to hear you’re having a bad week, glad smiling helped a little. Hope you feel better soon x

      Posted on 15 October, 2016 at 9:39 pm
  17. this is true and just by smiling, it can really change your mood and outlook for a few minutes. I’ve been really trying to keep things in perspective over the last year and its def been helping with staying happy and positive 🙂 #KCACOLS
    Emma recently posted…Cauldron Toad in the Hole for Halloween!My Profile

    Posted on 16 October, 2016 at 9:50 am
    1. Thank you, it’s often the small things that make the difference x

      Posted on 16 October, 2016 at 10:40 am
  18. Thank you for making me smile! Such a lovely positive post! It really does work, a smile goes a long way! Happy smiley Sunday!! Xx #KCACOLS

    Posted on 16 October, 2016 at 2:17 pm
    1. Aww, thank you, glad it worked for you x

      Posted on 16 October, 2016 at 7:14 pm
  19. I love this so much! I often tell myself when I’m hiding in the toilet having time out from a toddler situation to go out smiling and it will be ok. And it works, the power of a smile! Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
    Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…Being An Auntie…The Ordinary MomentsMy Profile

    Posted on 16 October, 2016 at 10:43 pm
    1. Thank you, it’s amazing what a difference this one small act can make x

      Posted on 17 October, 2016 at 7:09 am
  20. I can really relate to this. Thank you so much for raising awareness. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday
    The Unsung Mum recently posted…The Unsung Mum and the Terrifying Twonado  My Profile

    Posted on 17 October, 2016 at 8:06 pm
    1. Thank you, I’ll be back with part 3 x

      Posted on 17 October, 2016 at 8:11 pm
  21. Smiling, even if I don’t mean it, makes me feel better. Sometimes we need to give ourselves a bit of a kick up the bum to see the positive side of life and this means smiling, even when we don’t mean it.
    thanks for this post. Pen x #KCACOLS
    Pen recently posted…Co-parenting trouble : what you don’t know can haunt youMy Profile

    Posted on 17 October, 2016 at 10:23 pm
    1. It’s amazing what a difference it can it make x

      Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 6:37 am
  22. great series idea, I had to go back and read the pervious post.
    I love to smile and see my family members smile daily 🙂 #KCACOLS

    Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 7:05 pm
    1. Thank you, #3 is live now too x

      Posted on 18 October, 2016 at 7:23 pm
  23. I did and I felt better for it thanks. It’s all to easy to get stuck in our sympathetic nervous system in these busy super fast days so this is a great message 🙂 #KCACOLS

    Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 8:20 pm
    1. Thank you, you’re right. Glad it worked for you x

      Posted on 19 October, 2016 at 8:26 pm
  24. Always gotta smile – life would be pretty miserable otherwise! #kcacols

    Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 6:00 pm
    1. It certainly would x

      Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 6:21 pm
  25. This makes sense, you can always tell when someone isn’t really smiling in their eyes. I try and think of a nice memory to make myself smile. Things you love at 2
    Mummy
    Daddy
    Kyle
    Finlay
    Ethan
    babies
    cuddles
    kicking a ball
    splashing in puddles
    jumping
    dancing
    sand
    books
    Peppa
    bananas
    rocking horse
    bricks
    Mummies handbag
    milk
    holding hands
    cuddles
    kisses
    your bed
    bubbles
    bathtime
    the shower
    keyboard
    singing
    making a tower
    hula hoops
    peanut butter on toast
    balloons
    giggles
    family
    putting on shoes
    Mummy and Monkeys recently posted…The New Teletubbies Magazine ReviewMy Profile

    Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 9:20 pm
    1. Sorry no idea what happened there! x

      Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 9:41 pm
      1. He he, no worries. Sounds like a good list for making a little one smile. Thanks for commenting x

        Posted on 20 October, 2016 at 9:56 pm
  26. Smiling is very underrated! Thanks for the perky post on a stressful Friday morning x #KCACOLS
    Poppy Reflects recently posted…Baby Number Two: 34 Week Pregnancy UpdateMy Profile

    Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 12:22 pm
    1. Thank you, hope it made you smile x

      Posted on 21 October, 2016 at 12:23 pm